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Applications have opened for sports to apply for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with Federations having until June 8 to submit responses to a preliminary set of questions.

A total of 33 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Recognised Federations have been invited to apply, with baseball and softball considered favourites to return to the Olympic fold following the exclusion of the two sports after Beijing 2008.

Karate and squash also harbour serious aspirations, while roller sports, surfing, sport climbing, wushu and snooker are others aiming to be included.

Although not an IOC recognised sport, it is possible skateboarding could also apply, but seemingly only if it is amalgamated within the International Roller Skating Federation (FIRS), something due to be discussed at the Global Skateboarding Summit in Istanbul later this month.

Following the submissions of applications, an Additional Event Programme Panel will examine each to ensure "full compliance" with the key principle of serving as a "driving force to promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal", as well as "engaging with the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide".

A panel of shortlisted International Federations and events will then be formed, with successful applicants to be informed of the panel decision before June 22.

In a second phase of applications, shortlisted International Federations will submit further details and present in front of the Panel in Tokyo in early August before recommendations are passed to Tokyo 2020 ahead of a final decision being proposed to the IOC by September 30.

The decision will then need to be approved formally at next year's IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016 on the eve of the Olympics.

Timeline

About the author

Since joining insidethegames.biz in 2013, Butler has travelled to a variety of major global sporting events, including the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as the most recent editions of the Asian, European and Pan American Games in Incheon, Baku and Toronto. He has also attended the last four International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sessions and has particularly enjoyed tackling the politics and diplomacy of the Olympic Movement.

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Fact of the day

At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili was disqualified for weighing in at nearly four pounds above the limit for his weight class of his under-66 kilograms match against an Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the first round. It was claimed Miresmaeili had gone on an eating binge to protest the International Olympic Committee's recognition of the state of Israel. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel, and Miresmaeili's actions won praise from high-ranking Iranian officials. Mohammad Khatami, the country's President at the time, was quoted as saying Miresmaili's actions would be "recorded in the history of Iranian glories". He was later awarded $125,000 by the Government - the same amount given to Olympic gold medallists.

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